Four-nation exercise to boost regional nuclear security
The Nuclear Security Detection Exercise, Malaysia-Indonesia-Thailand-Singapore 2025 (Mitsatom 2025) will focus on nuclear security awareness, border surveillance and response coordination to incidents involving illicit trafficking of radioactive materials.
Atomic Energy Department (Atom Malaysia) deputy director-general Monalija Kostor said a training exercise would be held under Mitsatom on Thursday (July 10) at a maritime jetty in Gelang Patah.
She added that ahead of Thursday's drill, the programme will include tabletop simulation exercises on Tuesday and Wednesday (July 8 and 9) as well as a nuclear security talk to raise awareness among participants and observers from all four participating nations.
'The training aims to assess cross-border communication and emergency responses involving the detection and interdiction of radioactive material smuggling.
"The simulation scenarios involve land and maritime smuggling routes shared by Malaysia and its neighbours.
'These include land borders with Thailand and Singapore as well as maritime borders with Indonesia as potential trafficking routes,' she told the press after the launch of Mitsatom 2025 by Johor education and information committee chairman Aznan Tamin at a hotel here on Monday (July 7).
Mitsatom is Malaysia's fourth international nuclear security exercise since 2015, making it one of the most active countries in South-East Asia in countering nuclear smuggling, she added.
Earlier drills were conducted with Thailand in 2015 and 2016 focusing on land border interdiction, while in 2018, Malaysia hosted a maritime-focused drill with Indonesia and the Philippines in Kota Kinabalu.
'This year's exercise is especially comprehensive, combining both land and sea interdiction scenarios to test preparedness across multiple border types.
'We have designed four smuggling scenarios where radioactive materials are successfully intercepted and returned to the authorities,' Monalija said.
The training exercises also help Malaysian authorities and their counterparts in the region to ensure that radioactive sources remain under legal control and do not fall into the wrong hands, she added.
'Our top priority is to ensure radioactive materials are tightly regulated, and that our borders remain secure against nuclear threats,' she said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Focus Malaysia
3 hours ago
- Focus Malaysia
Confronting cyberbullying with law
Letter to Editor In today's hyper-connected world, the internet has become a powerful tool for communication, education, and work. But behind the glow of our screens lurks a darker reality: cyberbullying — a silent epidemic that's tearing through digital communities and leaving real-world scars. Cyberbullying happens when people use online platforms — like social media, messaging apps, or comment sections — to harass, shame, threaten, or humiliate others. Unlike traditional bullying, it doesn't stop at the school gate or the office door. It follows victims 24/7, invading the one space that should feel safe — their own homes. Malaysia now ranks fifth globally for cyberbullying incidents, according to a 2024 report by IPSOS, as reported in Sin Chew Daily. While this statistic is alarming on its own, what's more concerning is how underreported these cases are. Many victims suffer in silence — especially women and young people — fearing judgment, a lack of legal protection, or simply because there's no clear or effective way to report abuse. The nation was rocked in July 2024 by a tragic case that brought the cyberbullying crisis into sharp focus. On July 5, Malaysians woke to heartbreaking news. A 29-year-old Indian influencer known online as 'Eesha' — real name Rajeswary — was found dead in her family home in Kuala Lumpur after enduring a brutal online harassment campaign. The abuse, which took place largely on TikTok, included doctored photos used as backdrops for live broadcasts and coordinated attacks by trolls who incited mass ridicule. Two individuals were arrested soon after. One was charged with criminal intimidation and released on bail of RM36,000; the other was fined a mere RM100 for public insult. The punishments triggered public outrage, with many Malaysians asking: is that all a life is worth? As Lianhe Zaobao reported, the backlash was swift and overwhelming, and it forced the government to act. Legal reform amid tragedy In December 2024, the Malaysian government introduced a landmark legal reform. For the first time, doxing — the act of publishing someone's personal information online with malicious intent — was officially criminalised under amendments to the Penal Code and Criminal Procedure Code. Under the new law, anyone who threatens, insults, or defames another person through digital communication can now face up to 10 years in prison. Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, quoted in Ta Kung Pao, emphasised that the government is working to define cyberbullying more precisely and ensure that offenders are held accountable. 'It's time we treat online abuse as seriously as we do real-world threats,' he said. The rise of cyberbullying reflects a deeper ethical crisis in our digital culture. As digital sociologist Daniel Trottier notes in the European Journal of Communication, the internet can act as a 'magnifier for moral panic,' turning individuals into targets of a rapidly growing digital mob. Cyberbullying thrives in a digital environment shaped by a dangerous mix of inauthenticity, anonymity, and algorithmic amplification. Offenders often manipulate or falsify images and information to publicly shame or humiliate their targets, as seen in Eesha's tragic case. Hidden behind fake profiles, they exploit anonymity to avoid accountability while unleashing verbal violence without restraint. Making matters worse, social media algorithms tend to boost the most sensational and emotionally charged content — whether true or not — further fuelling online abuse. Although legal frameworks are slowly catching up, experts like Whittaker and Kowalski note that vague definitions and weak enforcement still leave significant gaps in prosecuting digital harassment. As Trottier points out, the imbalance of justice is stark: victims shoulder the emotional and financial burden of defending their rights, while perpetrators often walk away with minimal consequences. Together, these factors create a system where cruelty is easy, and justice is hard to reach. A moral crisis, not just a legal one While the new law marks progress, cyberbullying isn't just a policy issue — it's a moral and cultural challenge. How did cruelty and humiliation become online entertainment? What responsibility do platforms, media outlets, and users bear? Media coverage must also tread carefully. Over-exaggeration or sensationalist headlines can retraumatise victims and inflame tensions. Ethical journalism demands compassion, accuracy, and restraint — especially when reporting tragedies. Social media companies, meanwhile, must go beyond symbolic gestures. They have the power to create ethical algorithms, launch real-time moderation, and provide accessible mental health tools. As the main gatekeepers of today's digital discourse, their accountability is critical. Experts agree that tackling cyberbullying requires more than isolated fixes — it demands a comprehensive, multi-level strategy. Legal reform is a critical first step, and while Malaysia's new anti-doxing law marks important progress, broader legislation is still needed to address the full range of online abuse. At the same time, social media platforms must take greater responsibility, investing in real-time monitoring systems and adopting transparent policies that prioritise user safety over engagement metrics. Education plays a crucial role as well. By embedding digital literacy in schools and community programmes, especially for young users, we can empower individuals to recognise manipulation, think critically, and choose empathy over cruelty. Lastly, support systems must be strengthened — from expanded mental health services to accessible victim support and confidential reporting channels. Only through this layered approach can we begin to dismantle the digital environments that allow online harm to flourish. Digital media scholar Elizabeth Whittaker stresses that education must include not just how to use technology — but how to use it ethically. 'Behind every screen is a person,' she reminds us. 'Empathy must be part of our digital DNA.' —July 1, 2025 The authors are from the Department of Science and Technology Studies, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya Main image: GovTech
Free Malaysia Today
4 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
53-year-old loses RM500,000 in quick-returns online scam
Police said he was introduced through a Facebook app to an investment called 'Silver Peak CP' that promised quick and high returns. GEORGE TOWN : A man in Sungai Bakap has lost RM500,000 after falling victim to a fake online investment scam that promised high returns in a short time. Penang deputy police chief Alwi Zainal Abidin said the victim, a 53-year-old former warehouse assistant supervisor in Singapore, had come across a Facebook ad promoting stock investments on March 21. He contacted a woman who identified herself as 'Liane' and she introduced him to an investment called 'Silver Peak CP' through a mobile app that promised quick and high returns, Alwi said in a statement. 'Attracted by the offer, the victim downloaded the app and started investing.' Between March 22 and June 24, he paid a total of RM500,000 in 22 deposits into six different bank accounts provided by the woman. 'After that, he could no longer access the app,' Alwi said.
Malay Mail
4 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Kelantan police nab couple, seize RM3.1m worth of drugs
KOTA BHARU, July 13 — Police have busted a drug trafficking syndicate, with the arrest of a local couple last Friday, believed to be actively trafficking compressed ganja and ganja buds concealed in cashew nut packages, with total seizures valued at RM3.1 million. Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat said the suspects, aged 31 and 49, were detained around 4pm while travelling in a Proton X70 along Jalan Padang Sembilan, Kuala Krai, after their vehicle was seen being driven suspiciously. He said that a subsequent inspection of the vehicle led to the discovery of 110 plastic packages, containing dried plant material believed to be ganja buds, weighing 60.8 kilogrammes, compressed ganja weighing 6.95 kilogrammes, and 150 yaba pills. 'The total drug haul in Kuala Krai alone amounted to 67.75 kilogrammes of ganja and 15 grams of yaba pills, with an estimated value of RM2.37 million,' he said, during a special press conference at the Kelantan contingent police headquarters, here, today. Following the arrest, police raided the couple's home in Selising, Pasir Puteh, on the same day, and seized an additional 22 kilogrammes of compressed ganja worth RM775,000. Cash, necklaces, and other jewellery were also seized during the raids at both locations, bringing the total value of the confiscated items to RM3.1 million. Mohd Yusoff said initial investigations found that the female suspect operates a processed chicken business, while her husband works as a p-hailing driver. The couple is believed to have been actively involved in drug trafficking for over a year, using their legitimate businesses as a front. 'We believe that this syndicate has an extensive network and serves as a major supplier, including to overseas markets, as the value of the seized cannabis buds is significantly higher than that of regular cannabis leaves,' he added. The male suspect tested positive for drugs, while the female tested negative. Both, however, have prior records related to narcotics offences, and they have been remanded for seven days, from July 11, to assist in investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952,' he said. Meanwhile, Mohd Yusoff said that police have not ruled out a connection between the recently busted drug syndicate and an international network, possibly linked to the June 27 seizure of 35.4 kilogrammes of yaba pills, allegedly masterminded by a salon and restaurant owner. Investigations are ongoing, and efforts to track down remaining syndicate members continue. On July 3, Bernama reported that police had dismantled a drug syndicate and seized RM5.04 million worth of yaba pills, in six raids across Pasir Mas and Tumpat, arresting six local suspects, aged 25 to 39. — Bernama
